Cher by Cher The Memoir
What's it about?
Cher (2024) finds the legendary singer and actress opening up about her extraordinary journey through fame, love, and personal transformation. It’s a literal rags to riches take of growing up poor to hosting one of the most popular television shows in the country. In recounting the many ups and downs and troubled relationships along the way, it reveals the woman behind the icon, filled with raw honesty, humor, and unforgettable moments.
The year 1956 was an important one for a little girl named Cheryl Sarkisian. That summer, the ten-year-old was glued to the TV, her peanut butter and jelly sandwich forgotten in her lap as she experienced a moment that would change her life forever. Watching American Bandstand, she was moved to tears by Ray Charles’s soulful performance of "Georgia" and felt an instant, unshakable connection to the music.
Then, a couple months later, Cheryl and her mom saw Elvis Presley perform at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles. Thrilled to be among the screaming throngs of fans, she knew, without a doubt, that she wanted to be on that stage, under the spotlight, just like him. This is the story of how that dream came true. Of how a young girl who lived a vagabond-like childhood rose from poverty to international fame. This is the first part of the story of the one and only, the icon, Cher. It covers her life up until the 1980s, right before she decided to shift her focus to acting.
This journey begins with a poignant image: a photo taken in 1947 of a tiny baby gripping the rails of her crib at a Catholic children’s home. This baby was Cher, and the picture was captured by her 20-year-old mother, Jackie Jean, later known as Georgia Holt.
Jackie had been born into the poverty and hardship of the Great Depression. Despite the odds, her talent for singing emerged early, and by age five, she was performing in speakeasies, earning nickels that weighed down her pockets.
By 19, she’d married Johnnie Sarkisian, an Armenian gambler, and their life was marked by constant instability. Their tumultuous marriage saw them traveling across the country until Johnnie abandoned Jackie and their baby Cheryl (always shortened to “Cher”) in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Left alone, Jackie had no choice but to leave Cher at the children’s home while she worked as a waitress at a diner. She visited her child whenever she could, but it took time, money, and a little help from a caring diner customer, before Jackie eventually won her fight to bring her daughter home. The emotion of this victory was later channeled into Cher’s powerful song “Sisters of Mercy.”
Still, life remained chaotic. Jackie moved them to Twin Falls, Idaho, and then to Los Angeles, where Cher was often left under the care of various babysitters. During this time, Jackie unexpectedly won a local beauty pageant, marking the beginning of her transformation into Georgia Holt, a woman determined to escape the hardship of her past.
In Los Angeles, Georgia’s beauty and talent landed her small TV roles but she constantly struggled against the casting couch culture of the time. Despite her mother’s limited success, Cher found comfort in the simple joys of life, like watching TV together and hearing Hollywood gossip whispered by her mom.
Cher’s family found momentary stability with her mom’s marriage to another actor, John Southall, and the arrival of Cher’s sister, Georganne, better known as “Gee.” John was a loving parent – the one Cher would always refer to as “dad.” But his battle with alcoholism led to a volatile home life and eventual divorce. Despite the chaos, Cher held a deep love for her father, forgiving his flaws and cherishing the good moments. But after his sudden departure, Cher, her sister, and their mother were once again forced into a transient lifestyle, moving from place to place.
Cher’s favorite home, among the many she had growing up, was a cozy redwood bungalow on Beeman Avenue in the San Fernando Valley. With its apricot and peach trees in the yard, it was a refuge for Cher, her sister, and their mother after the divorce. It was here that she first discovered her passion for performing, taking part in school plays. Nevertheless, school was a struggle, as an undiagnosed dyslexia made reading and math difficult.
The Beeman bungalow didn’t last, as Georgia’s career stalled. Unable to pay the rent, Cher and her sister had to move in with their grandparents. It was a dire time. Cher was deeply embarrassed to go to school wearing shoes held together with cardboard and rubber bands. Cher’s mom continued to seek stability through marriage, first to wealthy real estate magnate Joe Collins, and later to her biological father, Johnnie. However, both attempts ended in divorce.
By the time Cher was 14, her family moved to New York City with her new stepfather, Gilbert LaPeire. Cher, excited to live in the city of West Side Story, was initially thrilled by their new apartment. Her fifteenth birthday marked a turning point when she saw Eartha Kitt perform live, an experience that reignited her desire to be in the spotlight. But despite the excitement of New York, it became clear that her mother was unhappy, and the family returned to Los Angeles.
Cher’s time in New York had sparked a new sense of independence in her. Back in Los Angeles, she yearned for more freedom, especially after her protective mother restricted her social life. Still struggling with school, she hatched a plan to drop out and switch to acting school. She began to attend a drama workshop led by Jeff Corey, who’d taught actors like James Dean and Jane Fonda. Despite being the youngest student in the class, Cher was one of Jeff’s favorite students. His advice about truly listening in a scene would become foundational to her future acting career.
After her sixteenth birthday, and with her parents’ blessing, Cher moved into a Beverly Hills apartment, marking her first step toward independence. Still, she had a miserable time working odd jobs and it wasn’t long before she was unable to pay the rent.
In November 1962, at Aldo’s coffee shop, she met Sonny Bono, a hustling musician with a unique flair. Initially, their connection was only a quirky friendship based on shared admiration. With nowhere else to stay, Sonny, who’d just recently divorced, offered her a place to live. This unusual arrangement, with Cher serving as his housekeeper and confidante, set the stage for what would become one of the most iconic partnerships in entertainment.
Not long after Cher moved in with Sonny, his career took a leap forward. A new job brought him closer to the epicenter of the music world – Phillip Spector’s Gold Star Recording Studios. Tagging along, Cher, wide-eyed and eager, glimpsed the magic of the Wrecking Crew, the studio’s legendary house band that included Tommy Tedesco, Carole Kaye and Leon Russel.
Their relationship took an unexpected turn during a quiet evening. A kiss, simple yet electric, blurred the lines of their camaraderie. It wasn’t a fairy-tale romance, but it was love, and the start of an amazing journey.
Sonny managed to get Cher into the studio as backup vocals for Darlene Love. She was terrified, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with incredible talents like the Ronettes. Her voice, though unpolished, added a unique “funk” element that producer Phil Spector loved.
She continued to sing backup vocals for Spector, and in 1964, the year Cher turned eighteen, her relationship with Sonny deepened. The two had an impromptu “wedding” in their bathroom, complete with handmade silver rings. It was as unconventional as their partnership. Yet, in her heart, Cher was all in.
Work consumed much of their lives that year as they set out to stake their own claim in the music industry. Despite a couple of early failed attempts, 1964 was an exciting time of opportunities. The duo took on a pair of ambitious new managers, and even managed to meet the Rolling Stones during their first US tour. Inspired, Sonny wrote “Baby Don’t Go,” a deeply personal song tailored to Cher’s life. The track became their breakout hit.
Taking advantage of a rapidly changing world – filled with political unrest and cultural revolutions – they carved their niche, with Cher styling Sonny in bold, eclectic outfits. Their look became their calling card. Then came the song that changed everything: “I Got You Babe.” Sonny penned it late one night. At first, Cher wasn’t sold. Nevertheless, it captured the essence of their partnership and skyrocketed their careers.
When the pair flew to London, a twist of fate made them international sensations. After the press picked up the story of them being refused a hotel room due to their appearance, they were front page news, performing on TV and mingling with Mick Jagger and John Lennon, and Dusty Springfield. Their time in London was magical, a dream come true for two kids who had clawed their way to stardom. By the end, they had five songs in the UK Top 20, a feat only matched by Elvis and the Beatles.
After releasing their first album, record executives made sure they were married – for real this time – in a quiet ceremony in Mexico. Months later, in 1965, Cher landed a coveted opportunity – a Vogue photoshoot with the legendary Richard Avedon. The shoot was transformative. Cher saw herself as beautiful for the first time, despite Sonny’s disapproval of her daring outfits.
Indeed, Sonny’s possessiveness was really starting to show. Cher wasn’t allowed to wear perfume, listen to music, or even go out alone except for shopping trips. At the same time, he was determined to keep their momentum going with a gruelling work schedule.
Inspired by the Beatles’ foray into movies, they made Good Times, a film that, despite some positive reviews, failed at the box office, leaving them in debt. Determined to turn things around, Sonny pushed ahead with Chastity, a film he claimed was inspired by Cher’s own resilient spirit. However, the project was plagued with problems, from a weak script to Sonny’s jealousy over Cher’s costar. The film flopped, putting them in even deeper financial trouble.
Meanwhile, Cher discovered she was pregnant, and the tension between her need for rest and Sonny’s relentless drive only worsened their strained relationship. After giving birth to Chastity in March 1969, Cher faced a terrifying health scare on her first night home. A terrible hemorrhage left her bleeding on the bathroom floor. Sonny was nowhere to be found. Once he returned, he called the doctor and spent the following days nursing her back to health and taking care of newborn Chas. But where was he that night?
Weeks later, Sonny dropped another bombshell: they were broke. It didn’t help that Sonny was also making public service announcements decrying marijuana at a time when the counterculture was booming. Sonny & Cher were now terribly unhip. So, as they hit the road in an attempt to make some money, they were forced to play nearly empty second-rate venues.
But there was a glimmer of hope. With nothing to lose, Cher began to take bold chances on stage, cracking jokes and making fun of Sonny, who would shoot back jokes in return. A new, exciting stage act was being born. Word got out, and audiences were soon back on board.
Their resurgence caught the attention of CBS executive Fred Silverman, who booked them on The Merv Griffin Show. This opportunity led to The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, where their raw and authentic chemistry turned into a national sensation.
By the early 1970s, with The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour a massive hit, the duo were at the peak of their fame. They were living a life of luxury, a stark contrast to their earlier struggles. But then Cher began to notice a shift in Sonny. The playful partner she once knew was becoming a business-minded mogul, consumed with maintaining their success. He even started smoking cigars! As his focus turned to contracts and deals, Cher still wasn’t allowed to spend time with friends or even take tennis lessons. The personal connection they once shared was fading.
So, while the dynamic on stage remained strong, their offstage relationship was about to come apart for good. It all started with Bill, a young guitarist in their band, who caught Cher’s attention. His kindness and genuine interest in her feelings were a stark contrast to Sonny’s growing indifference. One evening, Cher made a bold decision – she told Sonny she wanted to spend time with Bill, alone. The only other option in her mind at the time was to throw herself off the hotel room balcony.
Sonny agreed, but he also removed the wedding ring from Cher’s finger, and suddenly everything was in doubt. Remarkably, despite the personal turmoil, Cher and Sonny were back onstage together at CBS just days after their split, putting on a performance that proved their chemistry was far from over. The media buzzed with rumors of their break-up, but their natural camaraderie on stage silenced any doubts.
Cher soon found out just how duplicitous Sonny was. The full extent of his infidelities surfaced. It turned out he’d been seeing other women constantly, throughout their relationship. Worse still, Sonny had written her contract so that she had zero financial control over her own career or even access to her own bank account. When she confronted Sonny, demanding equal partnership, his dismissive response was like a final, definitive break.
Despite the personal and professional chaos, Cher’s career began to flourish. She had another solo number-one hit with her record Half-Breed, and found a champion and new boyfriend in David Geffen, a record executive who helped her escape the mess of her contract with Sonny.
Following the final taping of the The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, David also helped launch her new solo show, simply titled Cher. In the first episode she nervously took the stage alone for the first time in her life, dazzling the audience with her rhinestone dress. Guests like Elton John and Bette Midler helped make the debut episode a success, solidifying her place as a solo superstar. That said, Cher’s personal life remained complicated. She called off her engagement to David, feeling unprepared for marriage so soon after her divorce from Sonny. Little did she know, another marriage loomed just over the horizon.
Fate seemed to unfold after Cher invited her friend Paulette to move in with her. The two women embraced their independence, going shopping and hitting the dance floors like carefree teenagers. Paulette's fascination with the Allman Brothers led them to an unforgettable performance by the band at the small Troubadour nightclub in LA.
In particular, Cher was taken by the magnetic stage presence of Gregg Allman. The feeling must have been mutual because a stagehand passed along a note with Gregg’s phone number. Despite a disastrous first date, their connection deepened after a second attempt at a carefree night of dancing, revealing a sweet and authentic side to him.
As their relationship grew, Gregg made a tearful confession, he was a heroin addict. Despite warnings from friends and the media, Cher stood by him, hoping her love could inspire change. But their romance was under constant public scrutiny, which only made Gregg’s recovery more difficult. An impulsive Las Vegas wedding reflected their chaotic love story and their demanding careers was a strain upon their fragile bond. Adding another layer to the drama was the fact that Cher soon found herself pregnant again.
Cher’s life became a juggling act as she navigated career pressures, pregnancy, and Gregg’s rehab journey. While her solo TV show was a hit during the first season, the second season lost the ratings battle against a popular newcomer, The Six Million Dollar Man. Overwhelmed, Cher reached out to Sonny, who responded with his trademark eagerness to fix things. He helped secure a deal to bring the Sonny & Cher Show back to TV.
The new show was an instant hit. The chemistry between Cher and Sonny was undeniable and their comedy was sharper than ever.
At the same time, Cher’s relationship with Gregg was on thin ice. They were in Hawaii when Cher’s labor began unexpectedly. Despite the stress, Gregg showed tenderness, and in those peaceful weeks, Cher found herself falling for him again. The birth of their son, Elijah Skye Blue, was a moment of joy and relief, and for once, everything seemed right. But life quickly returned to its usual chaotic state as Gregg went back on tour.
By 1977, the Sonny and Cher Show was once again coming to an end. And it wasn’t long before her relationship with Gregg also reached its finale. Following a paranoid breakdown where Cher feared their safety, the marriage ended in divorce.
Following the release of her 1979 disco album, Take Me Home, Cher realised that what she really wanted to do was return to her first love: acting. But after a few years of meetings, it was clear that producers and directors weren’t willing to take her seriously. So she decided to launch her own stage show. Performing in Vegas, she broke attendance records and created a spectacle that became the show to see in town. An international tour followed. But still, the acting itch remained.
It was her encounter with movie director Francis Ford Coppola in 1980 that changed everything. Coppola, a longtime friend who used to take part in a regular poker night with Sonny, encouraged Cher to follow her dream. As he put it, the worst that can happen is that you fail. But at least you’ll have tried. It reminded her of advice that the actress Shelly Winters once gave her: if you’re serious, just move to New York and do it. Coppola agreed and then added, “So what are you waiting for?” Unfortunately, that's where the story ends, and we'll have to wait until Part Two to hear about her Oscar win and the rest of her career.
In this lesson to Cher by Cher, you’ve learned that…
Cher’s family roots are one of constant struggle and poverty, but her mother made her way through it, bringing young Cher to Hollywood in the attempt to become an actress. It wasn’t easy, however, and a string of marriages resulted in Cher being bounced around California, Las Vegas and New York City, before returning to Los Angeles. It was there, as a teenager, that she met Sonny Bono, who ushered her into the world of music. Together they made hit records and successful TV shows, but Sonny’s possessiveness and controlling tendencies led to their separation. They remained close, and they continued to work together as a duo and as parents to their child, Chas. Cher also had a child with Gregg Allman, but due to the strains of stardom and drug addiction, the marriage didn’t last long. Cher found success as a solo artist, launching a Vegas stage show that broke attendance records. But her first love was acting, and this first part of her memoir ends at the moment she decided to shift her focus back to that original passion.
Cher (2024) finds the legendary singer and actress opening up about her extraordinary journey through fame, love, and personal transformation. It’s a literal rags to riches take of growing up poor to hosting one of the most popular television shows in the country. In recounting the many ups and downs and troubled relationships along the way, it reveals the woman behind the icon, filled with raw honesty, humor, and unforgettable moments.
The year 1956 was an important one for a little girl named Cheryl Sarkisian. That summer, the ten-year-old was glued to the TV, her peanut butter and jelly sandwich forgotten in her lap as she experienced a moment that would change her life forever. Watching American Bandstand, she was moved to tears by Ray Charles’s soulful performance of "Georgia" and felt an instant, unshakable connection to the music.
Then, a couple months later, Cheryl and her mom saw Elvis Presley perform at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles. Thrilled to be among the screaming throngs of fans, she knew, without a doubt, that she wanted to be on that stage, under the spotlight, just like him. This is the story of how that dream came true. Of how a young girl who lived a vagabond-like childhood rose from poverty to international fame. This is the first part of the story of the one and only, the icon, Cher. It covers her life up until the 1980s, right before she decided to shift her focus to acting.
This journey begins with a poignant image: a photo taken in 1947 of a tiny baby gripping the rails of her crib at a Catholic children’s home. This baby was Cher, and the picture was captured by her 20-year-old mother, Jackie Jean, later known as Georgia Holt.
Jackie had been born into the poverty and hardship of the Great Depression. Despite the odds, her talent for singing emerged early, and by age five, she was performing in speakeasies, earning nickels that weighed down her pockets.
By 19, she’d married Johnnie Sarkisian, an Armenian gambler, and their life was marked by constant instability. Their tumultuous marriage saw them traveling across the country until Johnnie abandoned Jackie and their baby Cheryl (always shortened to “Cher”) in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Left alone, Jackie had no choice but to leave Cher at the children’s home while she worked as a waitress at a diner. She visited her child whenever she could, but it took time, money, and a little help from a caring diner customer, before Jackie eventually won her fight to bring her daughter home. The emotion of this victory was later channeled into Cher’s powerful song “Sisters of Mercy.”
Still, life remained chaotic. Jackie moved them to Twin Falls, Idaho, and then to Los Angeles, where Cher was often left under the care of various babysitters. During this time, Jackie unexpectedly won a local beauty pageant, marking the beginning of her transformation into Georgia Holt, a woman determined to escape the hardship of her past.
In Los Angeles, Georgia’s beauty and talent landed her small TV roles but she constantly struggled against the casting couch culture of the time. Despite her mother’s limited success, Cher found comfort in the simple joys of life, like watching TV together and hearing Hollywood gossip whispered by her mom.
Cher’s family found momentary stability with her mom’s marriage to another actor, John Southall, and the arrival of Cher’s sister, Georganne, better known as “Gee.” John was a loving parent – the one Cher would always refer to as “dad.” But his battle with alcoholism led to a volatile home life and eventual divorce. Despite the chaos, Cher held a deep love for her father, forgiving his flaws and cherishing the good moments. But after his sudden departure, Cher, her sister, and their mother were once again forced into a transient lifestyle, moving from place to place.
Cher’s favorite home, among the many she had growing up, was a cozy redwood bungalow on Beeman Avenue in the San Fernando Valley. With its apricot and peach trees in the yard, it was a refuge for Cher, her sister, and their mother after the divorce. It was here that she first discovered her passion for performing, taking part in school plays. Nevertheless, school was a struggle, as an undiagnosed dyslexia made reading and math difficult.
The Beeman bungalow didn’t last, as Georgia’s career stalled. Unable to pay the rent, Cher and her sister had to move in with their grandparents. It was a dire time. Cher was deeply embarrassed to go to school wearing shoes held together with cardboard and rubber bands. Cher’s mom continued to seek stability through marriage, first to wealthy real estate magnate Joe Collins, and later to her biological father, Johnnie. However, both attempts ended in divorce.
By the time Cher was 14, her family moved to New York City with her new stepfather, Gilbert LaPeire. Cher, excited to live in the city of West Side Story, was initially thrilled by their new apartment. Her fifteenth birthday marked a turning point when she saw Eartha Kitt perform live, an experience that reignited her desire to be in the spotlight. But despite the excitement of New York, it became clear that her mother was unhappy, and the family returned to Los Angeles.
Cher’s time in New York had sparked a new sense of independence in her. Back in Los Angeles, she yearned for more freedom, especially after her protective mother restricted her social life. Still struggling with school, she hatched a plan to drop out and switch to acting school. She began to attend a drama workshop led by Jeff Corey, who’d taught actors like James Dean and Jane Fonda. Despite being the youngest student in the class, Cher was one of Jeff’s favorite students. His advice about truly listening in a scene would become foundational to her future acting career.
After her sixteenth birthday, and with her parents’ blessing, Cher moved into a Beverly Hills apartment, marking her first step toward independence. Still, she had a miserable time working odd jobs and it wasn’t long before she was unable to pay the rent.
In November 1962, at Aldo’s coffee shop, she met Sonny Bono, a hustling musician with a unique flair. Initially, their connection was only a quirky friendship based on shared admiration. With nowhere else to stay, Sonny, who’d just recently divorced, offered her a place to live. This unusual arrangement, with Cher serving as his housekeeper and confidante, set the stage for what would become one of the most iconic partnerships in entertainment.
Not long after Cher moved in with Sonny, his career took a leap forward. A new job brought him closer to the epicenter of the music world – Phillip Spector’s Gold Star Recording Studios. Tagging along, Cher, wide-eyed and eager, glimpsed the magic of the Wrecking Crew, the studio’s legendary house band that included Tommy Tedesco, Carole Kaye and Leon Russel.
Their relationship took an unexpected turn during a quiet evening. A kiss, simple yet electric, blurred the lines of their camaraderie. It wasn’t a fairy-tale romance, but it was love, and the start of an amazing journey.
Sonny managed to get Cher into the studio as backup vocals for Darlene Love. She was terrified, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with incredible talents like the Ronettes. Her voice, though unpolished, added a unique “funk” element that producer Phil Spector loved.
She continued to sing backup vocals for Spector, and in 1964, the year Cher turned eighteen, her relationship with Sonny deepened. The two had an impromptu “wedding” in their bathroom, complete with handmade silver rings. It was as unconventional as their partnership. Yet, in her heart, Cher was all in.
Work consumed much of their lives that year as they set out to stake their own claim in the music industry. Despite a couple of early failed attempts, 1964 was an exciting time of opportunities. The duo took on a pair of ambitious new managers, and even managed to meet the Rolling Stones during their first US tour. Inspired, Sonny wrote “Baby Don’t Go,” a deeply personal song tailored to Cher’s life. The track became their breakout hit.
Taking advantage of a rapidly changing world – filled with political unrest and cultural revolutions – they carved their niche, with Cher styling Sonny in bold, eclectic outfits. Their look became their calling card. Then came the song that changed everything: “I Got You Babe.” Sonny penned it late one night. At first, Cher wasn’t sold. Nevertheless, it captured the essence of their partnership and skyrocketed their careers.
When the pair flew to London, a twist of fate made them international sensations. After the press picked up the story of them being refused a hotel room due to their appearance, they were front page news, performing on TV and mingling with Mick Jagger and John Lennon, and Dusty Springfield. Their time in London was magical, a dream come true for two kids who had clawed their way to stardom. By the end, they had five songs in the UK Top 20, a feat only matched by Elvis and the Beatles.
After releasing their first album, record executives made sure they were married – for real this time – in a quiet ceremony in Mexico. Months later, in 1965, Cher landed a coveted opportunity – a Vogue photoshoot with the legendary Richard Avedon. The shoot was transformative. Cher saw herself as beautiful for the first time, despite Sonny’s disapproval of her daring outfits.
Indeed, Sonny’s possessiveness was really starting to show. Cher wasn’t allowed to wear perfume, listen to music, or even go out alone except for shopping trips. At the same time, he was determined to keep their momentum going with a gruelling work schedule.
Inspired by the Beatles’ foray into movies, they made Good Times, a film that, despite some positive reviews, failed at the box office, leaving them in debt. Determined to turn things around, Sonny pushed ahead with Chastity, a film he claimed was inspired by Cher’s own resilient spirit. However, the project was plagued with problems, from a weak script to Sonny’s jealousy over Cher’s costar. The film flopped, putting them in even deeper financial trouble.
Meanwhile, Cher discovered she was pregnant, and the tension between her need for rest and Sonny’s relentless drive only worsened their strained relationship. After giving birth to Chastity in March 1969, Cher faced a terrifying health scare on her first night home. A terrible hemorrhage left her bleeding on the bathroom floor. Sonny was nowhere to be found. Once he returned, he called the doctor and spent the following days nursing her back to health and taking care of newborn Chas. But where was he that night?
Weeks later, Sonny dropped another bombshell: they were broke. It didn’t help that Sonny was also making public service announcements decrying marijuana at a time when the counterculture was booming. Sonny & Cher were now terribly unhip. So, as they hit the road in an attempt to make some money, they were forced to play nearly empty second-rate venues.
But there was a glimmer of hope. With nothing to lose, Cher began to take bold chances on stage, cracking jokes and making fun of Sonny, who would shoot back jokes in return. A new, exciting stage act was being born. Word got out, and audiences were soon back on board.
Their resurgence caught the attention of CBS executive Fred Silverman, who booked them on The Merv Griffin Show. This opportunity led to The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, where their raw and authentic chemistry turned into a national sensation.
By the early 1970s, with The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour a massive hit, the duo were at the peak of their fame. They were living a life of luxury, a stark contrast to their earlier struggles. But then Cher began to notice a shift in Sonny. The playful partner she once knew was becoming a business-minded mogul, consumed with maintaining their success. He even started smoking cigars! As his focus turned to contracts and deals, Cher still wasn’t allowed to spend time with friends or even take tennis lessons. The personal connection they once shared was fading.
So, while the dynamic on stage remained strong, their offstage relationship was about to come apart for good. It all started with Bill, a young guitarist in their band, who caught Cher’s attention. His kindness and genuine interest in her feelings were a stark contrast to Sonny’s growing indifference. One evening, Cher made a bold decision – she told Sonny she wanted to spend time with Bill, alone. The only other option in her mind at the time was to throw herself off the hotel room balcony.
Sonny agreed, but he also removed the wedding ring from Cher’s finger, and suddenly everything was in doubt. Remarkably, despite the personal turmoil, Cher and Sonny were back onstage together at CBS just days after their split, putting on a performance that proved their chemistry was far from over. The media buzzed with rumors of their break-up, but their natural camaraderie on stage silenced any doubts.
Cher soon found out just how duplicitous Sonny was. The full extent of his infidelities surfaced. It turned out he’d been seeing other women constantly, throughout their relationship. Worse still, Sonny had written her contract so that she had zero financial control over her own career or even access to her own bank account. When she confronted Sonny, demanding equal partnership, his dismissive response was like a final, definitive break.
Despite the personal and professional chaos, Cher’s career began to flourish. She had another solo number-one hit with her record Half-Breed, and found a champion and new boyfriend in David Geffen, a record executive who helped her escape the mess of her contract with Sonny.
Following the final taping of the The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, David also helped launch her new solo show, simply titled Cher. In the first episode she nervously took the stage alone for the first time in her life, dazzling the audience with her rhinestone dress. Guests like Elton John and Bette Midler helped make the debut episode a success, solidifying her place as a solo superstar. That said, Cher’s personal life remained complicated. She called off her engagement to David, feeling unprepared for marriage so soon after her divorce from Sonny. Little did she know, another marriage loomed just over the horizon.
Fate seemed to unfold after Cher invited her friend Paulette to move in with her. The two women embraced their independence, going shopping and hitting the dance floors like carefree teenagers. Paulette's fascination with the Allman Brothers led them to an unforgettable performance by the band at the small Troubadour nightclub in LA.
In particular, Cher was taken by the magnetic stage presence of Gregg Allman. The feeling must have been mutual because a stagehand passed along a note with Gregg’s phone number. Despite a disastrous first date, their connection deepened after a second attempt at a carefree night of dancing, revealing a sweet and authentic side to him.
As their relationship grew, Gregg made a tearful confession, he was a heroin addict. Despite warnings from friends and the media, Cher stood by him, hoping her love could inspire change. But their romance was under constant public scrutiny, which only made Gregg’s recovery more difficult. An impulsive Las Vegas wedding reflected their chaotic love story and their demanding careers was a strain upon their fragile bond. Adding another layer to the drama was the fact that Cher soon found herself pregnant again.
Cher’s life became a juggling act as she navigated career pressures, pregnancy, and Gregg’s rehab journey. While her solo TV show was a hit during the first season, the second season lost the ratings battle against a popular newcomer, The Six Million Dollar Man. Overwhelmed, Cher reached out to Sonny, who responded with his trademark eagerness to fix things. He helped secure a deal to bring the Sonny & Cher Show back to TV.
The new show was an instant hit. The chemistry between Cher and Sonny was undeniable and their comedy was sharper than ever.
At the same time, Cher’s relationship with Gregg was on thin ice. They were in Hawaii when Cher’s labor began unexpectedly. Despite the stress, Gregg showed tenderness, and in those peaceful weeks, Cher found herself falling for him again. The birth of their son, Elijah Skye Blue, was a moment of joy and relief, and for once, everything seemed right. But life quickly returned to its usual chaotic state as Gregg went back on tour.
By 1977, the Sonny and Cher Show was once again coming to an end. And it wasn’t long before her relationship with Gregg also reached its finale. Following a paranoid breakdown where Cher feared their safety, the marriage ended in divorce.
Following the release of her 1979 disco album, Take Me Home, Cher realised that what she really wanted to do was return to her first love: acting. But after a few years of meetings, it was clear that producers and directors weren’t willing to take her seriously. So she decided to launch her own stage show. Performing in Vegas, she broke attendance records and created a spectacle that became the show to see in town. An international tour followed. But still, the acting itch remained.
It was her encounter with movie director Francis Ford Coppola in 1980 that changed everything. Coppola, a longtime friend who used to take part in a regular poker night with Sonny, encouraged Cher to follow her dream. As he put it, the worst that can happen is that you fail. But at least you’ll have tried. It reminded her of advice that the actress Shelly Winters once gave her: if you’re serious, just move to New York and do it. Coppola agreed and then added, “So what are you waiting for?” Unfortunately, that's where the story ends, and we'll have to wait until Part Two to hear about her Oscar win and the rest of her career.
In this lesson to Cher by Cher, you’ve learned that…
Cher’s family roots are one of constant struggle and poverty, but her mother made her way through it, bringing young Cher to Hollywood in the attempt to become an actress. It wasn’t easy, however, and a string of marriages resulted in Cher being bounced around California, Las Vegas and New York City, before returning to Los Angeles. It was there, as a teenager, that she met Sonny Bono, who ushered her into the world of music. Together they made hit records and successful TV shows, but Sonny’s possessiveness and controlling tendencies led to their separation. They remained close, and they continued to work together as a duo and as parents to their child, Chas. Cher also had a child with Gregg Allman, but due to the strains of stardom and drug addiction, the marriage didn’t last long. Cher found success as a solo artist, launching a Vegas stage show that broke attendance records. But her first love was acting, and this first part of her memoir ends at the moment she decided to shift her focus back to that original passion.
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